Endoscopy

In endoscopy, a flexible plastic or slim metal tube with a camera (endoscope) is inserted through a natural or artificially created body orifice allowing views inside the body. Endoscopy can visualize the chest (thoracoscopy, mediastinoscopy), major airways down to the bronchi (bronchoscopy), stomach and intestines (gastroscopy, colonoscopy, rectoscopy, proctoscopy), and abdominal cavity (laparoscopy). In addition, this procedure can visualize the inside of numerous joints as well (arthroscopy).